You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 119 Sending Away the Plague God

Liang Su then wore a knowing expression: "Aunt, you see! I told you my eldest sister was going to be deceived, didn't I? This Young Master Xie already has someone he likes, and he hasn't married because of her. He's only with my eldest sister to relieve his depression. It won't lead anywhere."

Xie Fubai already has someone he likes?

I haven't been in the capital for a while, so I really don't know anything about these messy, trivial matters.

The three of them came together, so they probably weren't here to gossip or watch the drama unfold; there must be a reason.

Liang Jiang remained calm and did not argue: "I had no idea that Prince Xie already had someone he loved."

"The young master Xie's sweetheart is gentle and kind, well-educated and reasonable, and has outstanding literary talent. She is one of the most talented women in the capital. You, elder sister, cannot compare to her. It's just a pity that they are destined to be apart and have been separated by force."

Liang Jiang's heart skipped a beat, and she was about to ask further when the mute old man outside came in and reported, "Madam, someone from the Marquis of Huaiyuan's residence requests an audience."

Liang Wen asked, "Who is it that has come?"

The mute man replied, "It was the steward of the Marquis's residence who came in person. He said he was ordered by the Old Madam to deliver an invitation, asking the Princess and Madam to do us the honor of attending the banquet at the Marquis's residence tomorrow."

Several people looked at each other.

The Marquis of Huaiyuan's residence must have heard the gossip about the two of them. At this time, they should be avoiding suspicion, so why would they send someone to deliver an invitation?
Lady Liang instructed, "Please come in."

After a moment, the mute man led the visitors inside, knelt down and kowtowed, and respectfully handed the invitation to Madam Liang.

"My matriarch has acquired an embroidered screen, which is said to be the work of Madam Liu. I would like to trouble you, Madam and Princess, to come to the mansion tomorrow to help determine its authenticity."

Madam Liang knew that identifying the embroidered screen was just a pretext. She took the invitation and asked, "Were we the only ones invited?"

The steward shook his head: "My lady has also invited the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, as well as the two ladies and daughters of the Grand Tutor, to appreciate it together."

Lady Liang grew increasingly suspicious. What exactly was the Marquis's household up to? She dismissed the steward and turned to Liang Jiang with a serious expression, asking:
"Did Prince Xie mention the banquet tomorrow to you?"

Liang Jiang shook her head: "I haven't seen him these past two days."

Liang Ershen gloated, "The two noble ladies invited to the Marquis's banquet are both well-educated and in their prime. This is as obvious as a bald man's head. They are definitely choosing a consort for the Heir Apparent Xie to make Liang Jiang back down."

Liang Su also said sarcastically, "It would be better if eldest sister didn't go tomorrow, lest she be humiliated and have nowhere to hide."

Lady Liangwen's face darkened: "This is where Prince Xie is wrong. He deceived you first, and now the whole city is in an uproar, causing a lot of gossip about you. Yet he wants to openly choose another wife, clearly showing that he doesn't respect the Duke's Mansion."

Aunt Liang echoed, with a hint of sarcasm: "The Duke's mansion is indeed not what it used to be, and Liang Jiang has been married before, no wonder she is looked down upon."

But I am a daughter of a respectable family; how can I allow the Marquis of Huaiyuan's household to bully me like this? Even if I can't be the heir apparent's wife, surely I can be a concubine?"

Madam Liang was taken aback, then immediately denied it: "Let my daughter be a concubine? Impossible!"

Aunt Liang then added sarcastically, "I know you have connections with the Marquis of Huaiyuan's family, and you're too embarrassed to admit it. But I can step in and make the Marquis of Huaiyuan's family give us an explanation!"
However, we must be realistic and not be too greedy. It would be good for Liang Jiang to marry him, even as a concubine. In terms of wealth, status, and character, she's certainly better than that Fang Chengxu you carefully selected, isn't she?"

Lady Liang's face flushed with anger: "It was my blindness to marry into the Fang family, but no matter how bad my daughter is, she is still a princess personally bestowed by the Emperor. How can she be a concubine? Sister-in-law, isn't this an insult to people?"

Liangwen retorted angrily, "You speak so eloquently, but if you're so capable, why don't you marry her off? I'd accept even if she were just a commoner. It's better to avoid not seeing her every day and risk her doing something disgraceful to the family, because then it will be too late to discipline her."

Liang Su interjected, "Whether she wants to marry into the Marquis's mansion as a concubine or marry a commoner, it's up to my elder sister to decide. Perhaps she already has someone she likes, elder sister, don't you think?"

The group all turned to look at Liang Jiang.

After listening for a while, Liang Jiang finally understood the intentions of Liang Wen and the other two.

Gossip was just a pretext; the real reason was to get herself married off as soon as possible. No matter who she married, even as a concubine, she could get a dowry and rightfully be kicked out of the Duke's mansion.

Once a daughter is married, she is no longer considered part of the family; it's no longer appropriate for the Duke's family to interfere in its affairs. Therefore, it was only natural for Liang Wendong to inherit the Duke's mansion.

So, could it be that the second branch deliberately spread the news that I was drinking with Xie Fubai at Zuixianglou?

Faced with Liang Su's provocation, Liang Jiang curled her lips into a sneer: "When did I ever say I was going to get married?"

"Why are you so close to Prince Xie if you're not going to marry him? Back then in the main hall, the old lady personally admitted in front of all the civil and military officials that you and Prince Xie had dined together."

Your secret rendezvous at the restaurant this time has caused quite a stir. If you don't get married, wouldn't that be considered adultery and degrading yourself? You've almost completely disgraced the Duke's mansion!

Liang Wenshi spoke without any mercy and was extremely harsh.

Liang Jiang chuckled coldly: "If you think I'm a disgrace and that I'll affect Liang Su's marriage, then do what you did to my father back then. Sign a letter severing ties with me and make it public. Wouldn't that save you trouble? What do you think, Grandmother?"

Liang Wen choked.

"It's like a dog biting Lü Dongbin; they don't appreciate a kind heart!"

“But Grandmother, you are not Gou Yao, and I am not Lü Dongbin. Who knows what your intentions are?” Liang Jiang retorted without any politeness.

Liang Wen slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "I'm afraid you can't be allowed to do this. Tomorrow I'll spread the word and find a matchmaker to arrange a marriage for you. Then your in-laws will have a good talk with you."

“Alright,” Liang Jiang said with a smile, “whoever agrees can marry. Having another grandfather is no big deal. Your granddaughter will provide you with a dowry.”

These words made Liang Wen so angry that she almost fainted.

Pointing at the ginger, his hand trembled, he beat his chest and stamped his feet, but he couldn't utter a word.

I'm not afraid of those who are powerful, nor am I afraid of those who act recklessly; I'm just afraid of those who go crazy.

Liang Jiang is a complete madman.

Amidst the cursing, Liang Jiang dusted herself off and left. Rather than bottle up her anger, she figured it was better to calmly vent her frustrations on the whole family; and sure enough, her liver qi immediately calmed down.

Lady Liang, eager to know what was going on between Liang Jiang and Xie Fubai, followed them back to the backyard.

Liangwen gritted her teeth in anger: "A good-for-nothing with a father but no mother to teach him! How could my respectable family have given birth to such a wicked child! No wonder he can never get married!"

Liang Su's eyes darted around: "Grandmother, we can't let my eldest sister do whatever she wants with this. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Aunt Liang also chimed in, "Why don't we take advantage of this rumor and go with the flow? We can extort money from the Marquis's mansion. Whether she's a wife or a concubine, at least we can get a title. Our Duke's mansion will not only be peaceful, but we can also form a marriage alliance with the Marquis's mansion, which will be a help to Wen Dong in the future."

Liang Wen tried hard to suppress her anger: "Do you even need to tell me? But she refuses to marry me no matter what, what can I do?"

"It's all up to people. Let's go to the Marquis's mansion tomorrow and make a scene in front of everyone. The Marquis's mansion wants to save face, and because of the relationship between the two families, they will definitely agree. Once Eldest Sister gets what she wants, she won't be so stubborn anymore."

“That’s right, Mother. Liangjiang has been messing with the old account books of the manor these past few days. I wonder what kind of mischief she’s up to. She’s turned this Duke’s manor into a complete mess. If we can get rid of this plague soon, we’ll have some peace and quiet.”

The two of them talked back and forth, and successfully persuaded Liang Wenshi.

"Alright, Liangsu, tomorrow you will accompany your grandmother to the Marquis's residence to demand an explanation from the Old Madam."

Liang Su was overjoyed and readily agreed.

You, Liang Jiang, still dream of becoming the Crown Prince's wife? Dream on! As long as I propose to the Marquis's mansion first that you become his concubine, you can forget about ever raising your status again!
I'm going to make you fall into the mud. We're both decent girls, so what makes you think you're superior to me?
(End of this chapter)